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Pre-Ball Jitters

Scene details

Setting: Reize wears a suit. The world will never be the same.

Log



 It has been a while, but the group would find themselves within an ornate house that belongs to the vampire family. It is considered a 'home away from home'. Although it is not a manor, the house is still rather ornate. The last time they were here, it was quite dusty, but it has been long since been cleaned since the La Crima family had taken 'temporary' residence once again.

 There is one person who has made his way down the stairs, though awkwardly. It would be the Boy with the Long Yellow Scarf---who is without his scarf. Or adventuring attire. No, he is oddly enough appearing as a nobleman, which is a weird experience for him. After -thorough- convincing, Reize had decided to wear what is the attire in prepration for the ball. His hair, for starters, is slicked back. However, his antenna hair defiantly remains. His attire is a red-ish suit that looks more like a simple, yet pristine formal suit. If there is one saving grace (for him), he has his pendant around his neck.

 "... Ugh, do I really have to wear this?" He feels so awkward in this.

 Given that he descends along the common living room, he looks around to see... good, no aggressive paintings this time.
 

There are no more angry paintings, the house has been cleaned in many respects and the resident lead ghost is happy again otherwise.

Ruidosa La Crima has, miraculously, through the prayers to various gods and minor deities and the use of maybe a fake physic in the back of a dark wagon managed to calm down enough to exist around Reize Seatlan. At least he is 'Reize' again, in nomenclature.

Tranquila is here fiddling with Reize's frilly scarf and trying to straighten it. "Yes!" she says.

Rudisoa La Crima is looking into the fireplace of the house and trying not to frown. "This is going to stink." she says. "You know you're gonna meet my grandfather at the ball, right?" she asks to Reize. "You do realize he's going to kill you when he finds out your my fiance, right?" she says.

Tranquila giggles. "And mine~"

"---and yours." Ruidosa says insufferably.


 Ivo, needless to say, is having a great time.
 "Perhaps your estimable grandfather can be mollified by appealing to the history of the noble vampire tradition of multiple fiancees," he lightly exclaims, turning to and fro to admire his reflection in one of the house's grand windows. His dashing black garb, sleek and profusely embroidered with gold, is at once opulent and elegant, excessive and yet indicating taste. He lucked out with this one. "Reize should be well studied by now."
 Did Reize actually read any of what Ivo found, or even hear what Ivo was saying? There was a tilcayo cat nesting in torn pages to deal with, after all.
 "As for Madonna, leave her to me."
 He's confident, but not so confident that he thinks he can handle managing her and the La Crima patriarch at the same time.
 "Daiby, I fear we may have to rely on you to ensure that Atl is not overwhelmed... but of course, there are none better suited to the task."
 He didn't see what Atl ended up getting to wear for her ball debut. Perhaps something low-key that will allow her to blend in.

  • Character: Daiby
  • 2 weeks ago


"I have to say," Daiby remarks from where she had been seated, with a sketchbook sitting on one knee and the flame boa around her neck, currently quiescent and in the process of swallowing a dumpling which Daiby prepared, boiled, and proffered.

"It does seem as if you've solved a lot of problems with violence, historically, based on your accounts," Daiby concludes, musingly, tilting her charcoal pencil towards Rui. Then she looks back to Reize, squints for a moment, and doodles more.

"It's true," Daiby adds to Ivo. "I've been thinking about what to pick up myself. It's a bit of a challenge, since if we were in the city, of course, I could have commissioned something perfect ages ago. I had thought I'd bring a formal gown, but then I would have had to leave at least three of them at home, maybe as many as six!"

To Rui and Tranquila, she adds, "I hope my informality hasn't been offensive."

(Right now she's wearing a short-hemmed robe and a pair of fluffed-out shorts along with house slippers of woven cotton. All of it's blue-forward jewel tones. There are areas where this would outshine the local king or queen, and not all of them are primitive jungle civilizations without the dubious benefits of indoor toilets or agriculture.)



 Reize lets out a heavy sigh, looking over his outfit. As Tranquila continues to fiddle with his frilly scarf, he gives a sheepish smile. "T--Thanks!" His eyes drift towards Ruidosa, who stares at the fireplace.

 "... M--maybe he may be happy? I mean, maybe he would see that you are happy and we show our respects and..." There is a vision of a massive shadowy vampire grabbing Reize by the throat and shoving him into his mouth as Ruidosa does the crabs.

 "...Hopefully."

 Reize looks over towards Ivo as he mentions about the book. "Uhh..." He gives a bright, cheerful smile. "Sure! I think I remember everything!" ...Reize lies. He doesn't remember much about that book. "Speaking of... where is Tilly?"

 Meanwhile, there is a tilcayo cat perched up over one of the seats, and it immediately leaps over to Ruidosa's lap. This is his lap. This cat was the little fiend at the library that Reize used to get back in good graces with Ruidosa!

  Reize gives a grin and a thumbs up towards Daiby. "You're fine! We're just making sure that we have everything ready for the ball."

 

Ruidosa stares at Ivo and laughs and laughs and laughs and snorts. "Oh that'z funny. Got any other goods jokes?" she asks. "Grandfather is gonna shove him down a flight of bears." she mutters.

"She didn't misspeak!" says Tranquila. "Good luck with Madonna. You'll wake up tired." she insists. What does she mean by that?

Ruidosa looks from Tranquila to Daiby. She shakes her head. "Mi casa es tu casa!" she says. "That is. My house is your house." she says.

She looks to Reize and the cat in her lap and pets the cat. This can be it's lap for now. "What an adorabe little companion you've met, I wonder how them and Sombra would get along..." she considers. Sombra is off with Lady La Crima somewhere. Thankfully. She then mutters.

"The ball will hopefully go fine. To attack Grandfather would be a folly anyways. He's realluy powerful." she seems to shiver in place at the insinuation.


 Ivo, having sufficiently admired his own reflection, turns to look at Daiby as she speaks so that he can proceed with the far more important business of admiring her. Reize says that she's fine. *Yeah*, she is.
 "I shall escort you to the market to peruse worthy garments at your leisure," he gallantly says to his admired senpai, "bearing provisions commensurate to the task."
 They'll want supplies for three or four days, no doubt.
 "After an unfortunate encounter with Rosia's Shadowguard," he then adds in a more subdued tone, "I've concluded that Rosia's exceptionally liberated culture relies on covenants backed by savage swords indeed. Perhaps the vampire elite are so civilized precisely because they are so capable of extreme violence and decorum provides the disciplined alternative."
 He glances sidelong at Rui but, wisely, doesn't say anything. She's got a more or less tamed wildcat distracting her anyway.
 "Will your lovely mother be joining us at the Ball as well?" he asks Tranquila. "Perhaps as our fearless leader's fiancee as well, she might be best positioned to ensure calmer heads prevail."
 Not that Ivo just really wants to see *her* dressed up or anything. He's thinking strategically.
 "Let me say outright," Ivo then adds after a moment's contemplation, "that if anyone sees an opportunity for a private audience with the Queen, we should take it. I do not want to risk revealing the location of the Ankhialean sanctum or the apparent state of Ankhiale. We don't know enough about Xiuhcue's intentions right now, so... instead, I think we should risk revealing the existence of Yacumama."
 He looks to Reize now, bearer of the pendant in which the serpentine Mother of Waters silently resides.
 "I can't entirely predict what might happen," Ivo admits. "Whatever led the ancient royal family to leave Yacumama sealed in that temple centuries ago, before the founding of Oradia as we know it today, could mean that Yacumama is perceived as some sort of enemy. But if we present her as a legendary guardian of the royal family who might protect the Queen from Xiuhcue's next attack... then we might be able to escort the Queen and so be poised to intercept Xiuhcue when she next emerges. So that..."
 He pauses, then sighs.
 "...so that Atl's sister gets a second chance."
 Ivo is silent for a somber moment.
 "Sorry, 'wake up tired'? What exactly--"
 No, too late, Ivo, you changed topics.

  • Character: Daiby
  • 2 weeks ago


Daiby smiles at Reize as he thinks Positive, or potentially engages in Let's Positive Thinking. "You are quite a talented warrior, and I can tell that you really do care for Rui," and as hse does she does a brief outline of the ears/head situation of their new feline friend.

Her attention turns to Rui and Tranquila. She purses her lips, perhaps Getting the Innuendo, or at least sensing that Innuendo Exists in the Statement, before saying, "You're very kind." She flips a page, and when Rui mentions that it would be folly to attack the place...

She grimaces.

Is Daiby having *strategic thoughts*? Maybe the Flame Boa's been a good influence. But the grimace fades and she gives Ivo a winsome smile, and begins to sketch things out. Wait, no, she's writing things down in her curlicue-forward handwriting!

... is that 'Reize' or 'Rui'? Do they - no, she wrote - no, one of them is Rui and one of them is Reize but it all basically looks like a bunch of squiggles. Or perhaps snake-trails. "Mm," she states. "Should we try to make a play for that, do you think? Or simply, hm, keep an eye out."

Daiby raises one hand to gently veil her lips with the back of her hand, letting out an oh-ho-ho at Ivo's confusion, even as the Flame Boa lifts his head - having managed to get most of the dumpling into the throat area, allowing the jaw to close shut - and gives Ivo a skeptical look. C'mon, son!



  There is a worried look on Reize's face as Ruidosa mentions what her grandfather would do to him. Reize has an uneasy smile on his face, "S--S--surely..." Visions of the shadowy vampire shoving Reize into his mouth like a crab. The antenna hair slumps over as the boy looks exhausted. "Guh... Well.." Reize is uncertain over what to say. He's in the most dangerous situation, after all. Daiby is reassuring, however, which does bring a smile to his face. "Thank you, Daiby." His smile becomes warmer.

  He finally approaches Ruidosa, placing a hand to her shoulder reassuringly.

  However, Ivo's change of topic becomes interesting.

  "Oh! The queen? Yes! That would be a great idea!" He gives a bright smile. As Yacumama is brought up, he looks over towards the pendant. "... Perhaps so. It may even make Yacumama more 'whole'... like Kernunnos became."

 

Tranquila and Ruidosa both answer "NO" at that poignant question about their mother. "She will be there, but. Alone... please. You need to understand." says Tranquila. "That we can mitigate only so much fury from Grandfather, Big eyes and wibble lips only work so far on dear grandfather." she adds Ruidosa, finishing each other senstences and thoughts.

"You do know that if you WANT an audience, I can merely ask Grandfather?" she asks. "He can make it happen. He likes doing me favors. I can't promise 'at the ball' but I can promise he can set it up if not." she says. "I don't get to see him in person often so. If you have requests for him, better to pass it through me." she says.

"Look, I joke about Grandfather Poderoso killing you, but he WILL kill you if he finds out you've financed mom." she says with a wince at Reize. "Me? He'll want you to at least PROVE your worth on the spot. Tranquila? Well.. she's Tranquila." Tranquila waves sheepishly. "See?" she says. "But mom? His DAUGHTER? His own un-blood!?" she shivers.

She pets Tilly a little more.

Tranquila goes to answer Ivo. Ruidosa places a hand on Trnaquila's shoulder and shakes her head no. Trnaquila makes a sourpuss face. Oh well, Ivo.

Ruidosa La Crima also looks over at the snake trying to... sketch? Write? and considers. "I wonder what it's trying to write. or draw. Draw..write..." she coughs.


 Ivo now wishes he had occupied himself with other strategic concerns, e.g., if he could take advantage of vampire polygamy rules and the unearthed Secrets of the Harem Master to achieve fiancee parity with his friend. Not that he's thinking of anyone in particular, as he gives the dubious-looking Flame Boa a flustered and plaintive expression. He's got a lot on his mind, man!
 "I had considered that, but..."
 Ivo glances between Reize and Ruidosa. Perhaps he was reluctant to rely on Grandfather to do Reize and his friends any favors, under the circumstances.
 "Well, let's say: if the Queen does not give us the time of day at the Ball, let's have our lovely vampiresses beseech Grandfather for aid. But if our crew should *happen* to get the Queen's attention..."
 Not that exciting things ever happen in the Star Chasers' wake.
 "...let's all keep in mind that we want to take advantage of that opportunity. The best way to catch Xiuhcue in the act is not to try to pursue her, I think, but to anticipate her target, whom is likely the Queen herself. And Reize is right... just being in the Queen's presence might stir Yacumama to recover missing memories. *Again*... I can't be sure what sort of memories those will be, or what attitude, if any, the royal family has towards Yacumama. Perhaps she is completely forgotten or has faded into legend. Perhaps she..."
 Ivo trails off.
 "Well, further speculation is fruitless," he murmurs, uncharacteristically. If Yacumama was rejected intentionally, Ivo feels that it would be cruel to suggest as much within earshot, as it were, of the pendant. "I just want to emphasize that there's only so much we can anticipate. Regardless, this is our best chance to make some sort of move that would prevent a decisive clash between the Ankhialean militants and the Oradian royals... and so give us time to solve the mystery of what happened to Yacumama and how to help Ankhiale herself."
 Finally, Ivo looks back to Daiby, which he always enjoys doing.
 "Should we bring the Serpent Regalia we've acquired, the ornaments of the ancient priestess that seem to attune to your arts?" he asks. "We could potentially work them into your outfit... that might make an impression on those who would recognize such lost relics. But then, Daiby will doubtless make a dazzling impression regardless."

  • Character: Daiby
  • 2 weeks ago


Daiby smiles back to Reize. It's the kind of smile that says: I'm doing this on purpose, and while it's independent of my actual assessment of the current situation, I do agree with doing things on purpose. It is likely good that Ivo chose one of his cheerfuller hot lady friends to bring along on this mystic quest.

"What would that mean for Ruidosa's people? Or for Atl's, for that matter, if we were to make such a change," muses Daiby aloud. She looks towards Rui as she mentions -- arranging an audience! Oh, so the previous murder threats were hypothetical but this one is actual. Daiby glances at the Flame Boa about this.

She also sketches out what seems to be a ruffled sleeve shape, perhaps anticipating Ivo's offer. It's interesting. The Flame Boa looks back to Rui, and Daiby looks at the Flame Boa, and there is sundry confusion, before Daiby wordlessly hands the charcoal pencil to the Flame Boa, who opens his mouth and takes it in. Nowp. Daiby shifts the sketchbook but looks at the others as the snake seems to write or draw or otherwise illustrate his serpentine thoughts...

"Hmmm. That might seem like a threat to some of the persons there, if I understand the tensions underlying dear Rui's statements. But on the other hand," says Daiby, "it WOULD be quite a statement piece! It's funny, isn't it?" She looks to Ruidosa. "You've read this in novels, haven't you? 'Ah, this isn't a threat, it's a statement' or 'it's a promise' or 'it's a fact' or something similar, which always seems to be, well, a threat, even if it's the other things."

"Or is that just me?" Daiby concludes.

She smiles at Ivo.

The Flame Boa seems to be drawing Reize. Or at least his hair. Or at least his key ahoge thing.



  There are some things that Reize keeps in mind: The knowledge of his relationship with La Crima should not be out. He's fine with that secret, it'll make things easier. ... Well, there are many things stacked against him anyway. The explorer can feel the weight of things dragging him down. Or maybe it's the fact that he's wearing the suit.

 "Ugh, I feel so stuffy."

 Tilly is purring, happy to receive pets from Ruidosa. The feline is a happy critter. However, he soon grows bored and hops off of the lap to wander.

 Reize gives a serious look as his arms fold. "Yeah, getting the Queen's attention is paramount. And we should consider if there is another Serpent Regali--ah?" Reize idly looks curious over to what the Flame Boa is drawing, meanwhile he is grabbing onto Ruidosa's hand.

 

Ruidosa scoffs. "God forbid we ask and get told ''no'' or something like it might turn us to ash!" she says. "There's other ways. That's just the easiest. I'm sure we could figure out something. Maybe she'll just welcome us in." she says. "Who the heck knows." she says.

"Look, like I said. Grandfather will be annoyed but that's his default resting emotion we're pretty sure." Ruidosa says. Tranquila makes this frowny grump face trying to show what Ruidosa means. It's a good resemblance. Tranquila adds. "But he warms in our presence. If you need things, we can make it happen." she says. "I mean. If Reize doesn't die from his test, I intend to ask him for a big, huge wedding." adds the blonde girl with wide eyes behind her round glasses.

"Small one!" says Ruidosa. "In a forest glade near a spring..." she says dreamily. Tranquila frowns. "Big one! in Rosia's plaza! EVERYONE is invited to celebrate then!" she says. Rudiosa frowns! "But a small one is more intimate, with family and close friends we've made along the way!..."

BIG. SMALL. BIG. SMALL. BIG. SMALL, back and forth has now turned into a verbal argument between the two would be bridezillas for a moment. D--doesn't Reize get a say? D:

Ruidosa and Tranquila both look at Daiby. "What!?" they both shout. Ruidosa calms down and says, finally. "Oh uh. Yeah it is a threat!" she says. The snake seems to uh. Be just flondering about in ink from the prespective. She tries not to make light of this, Trasnquila gets down on the floor and slithers near the snake. "Snakes are SOOOO Cute.<3." she says.

Ruidosa squeezes Reize's hand for comfort and says to Ivo. "Maybe Daiby should wear them. They might interest the Queen. Rare relicvs often do that. My new ring alone is gonna garner interest from higher nobles as it is." she says proudly.


 Ivo is nodding to Daiby, looking almost rueful. He is grateful for Reize's trust and has perhaps become almost too accustomed to making decisions that lead to tectonic political shifts. That's just what being a Star Chaser means at this point.
 "I wish I knew what all this will mean for Oradia and the Ankhialeans," he confesses to his senpai. "All I know is that the status quo is untenable. When and if Xiuhcue attacks, should she fail again, the Ankhialeans may be discovered, and should she succeed, Oradia would be upended... and surely seek revenge. Whatever seems most likely to lead to some sort of enduring peace is the path I want us to take. But... as much as we've learned about the ancient past, we're out of leads. The royal family themselves are best poised to teach us more about what transpired when they emerged from the lineage of serpent priestesses."
 He nods again to Daiby. She's not wrong!
 "The Rosians tolerate much boldness in the name of art," he remarks. "Therein lies my confidence that any brazen accessorizing will not lead to conflict. But there is, of course, the chance that we will be asked to surrender the Serpent Regalia if it is discovered. If we can negotiate our way into becoming the Queen's bodyguards, perhaps we'd be allowed to keep it given Daiby's capacity to use it."
 And what *of* that capacity? Once *that* is discovered, will Daiby herself be perceived as a threat to the royal family? There are simply too many variables and too little information. Ivo is having second thoughts. Even so, they must do something, and surely the well-positioned La Crima family can protect them from the worst possible fallout.
 "At the very least," Ivo concludes, grinning to Reize, "I have no doubts about our ability to get attention when we want it."
 And when they don't want it.